26.1 mile Ride. Bike the Coast finisher!

Day started off pretty good. Woke up at 3:00am (went to sleep at 11:30pm :/) I couldn't really stomach anything. I had a little coffee, and half a bagel, and a few bites of oatmeal. Left the house at 4:25am, a little later than we wanted! But we made good time, got there at 6:40am. As soon as we got there my stomach starting hurting really bad. I walked to find a rest room, it was still dark outside. I found a very cute nice coffee shop and went potty there. I know.. very important detail. But seriously, when you are about to do an event, and have to go, you stress if you can't! So anyways :)

I registered and took pics with Davey and the boys, went potty again, and headed out. At 7:30 they announced the 25 mile group could leave whenever they wanted. I crossed the Start line at 7:42:19am.

It was an overall very nice ride. There were MANY hills. It was suppose to be flat, but I am glad it wasn't. This was perfect Olympic distance training. I didn't walk my bike at all.

I almost got hit by a car twice. Once the car was parked on the street and pulled out right in front of me. Second a car was turning right and got about 6 inches away from me. Scary!

I reached the half way mark at 1 hour, 3 minuets. I stopped and streched. My left inner thigh was cramping. I tried a GU for the first time.. and ewwww. I wanted to barf as soon as it hit my mouth. Thank God I had Shot Bloks, which I had to go to two different stores last night at 8pm to find. I still had no appetite, so I stuck to water, Gatorade and Shot Bloks. After 5 mins I got on my bike to continue when I saw a huge aid station/break area where all the bikers where getting sandwiches and water and going to the bathroom. I got ice water, used the restroom, took some photos, called Davey and was off. My total break time was 15 minuets, for which I don't count in the 2:04. There were no timing chips so no one was in a hurry. It was beautiful and relaxing. I felt good the second half, even a little faster and stronger.

I was riding along and heard these guys, and had to stop and take a picture. God bless our troops. I love our Military. It's because of them that we have the liberty to ride on the streets and to participate in activities. I am so grateful for them.

Relief flooded through me as I got back on the main street only a couple miles from the finish. I passed people and crossed the finish line at 10:01 am. Total time out-2 hours 19 minuets. -15 minuet break =2 hours 4 minuets total riding time. My legs were weak when I got off the bike, but my tank wasn't empty. I could have gone a few more miles :)

I was getting passed a lot of the time by serious cyclist. They all had cycle shoes, road bikes, cycle clothing, ect. But I did pass several people as well. I was happy with my speed, which averaged out to 4.7 minuets a mile.

After I got my medal I was super curious to know if the course was exactly 25 miles, on the website on the map course, it said 26.1. The lady I asked didn't know so she went and asked someone else and they gave me a paper, and confirmed, it was 26.1 miles. Woo! Almost a marathon on a bike!

We enjoyed a few hours at the beach after, and a free meal of our choice on the event. It was beautiful and in the 70's.
Here's to hoping I'm not too sore for my Spin certification tomorrow! 8 hour long class, 2 intense rides (so I hear). I will be sore on Monday! Hopefully weigh in goes really well. I am about to put the boys to bed now and watch a movie with my wonderful honey. xoxo


Oh and just for fun. Remember this before shot? Here's a new "So far" shot to compare.

Bike the Coast

Tomorrow is the day! 25 mile bike ride people. I am excited. I was stressing out about gas, and how far away it is, food for the trip ect., but now I am just letting the Lord have all that, and we are just going to enjoy it.

There is a 7 mile, 15 mile, 25 mile, and a 50 mile challenge. Mine starts at 7:30 am, so I want to be there by 6:50 am. That means we have to leave by 3:50 am! Going to bed E A R L Y tonight!

Davey is so sweet to always go along. He got a call for a job in the Union and they wanted him in Sacramento today at 7am. I was freaking out. Not so much about the Bike the Coast, but about the Spin Certification on Sunday. Who would watch the boys for 8 hours? I don't have any family here except my sister-in-law who is a college students, and just happened to be going home for the weekend. I was stressing! Luckily the guy told Davey to be there Monday morning. Feww. But, awe man! Boo. I don't want him to go :( After talking with his parents he decided to turn that one down because it is so far (office in Sacrament, could be working all the way in Yureka), and the Union will call him with a closer job. It was risky, but we are confident he will get a call again in a few days. His Dad just got hired with the Union so they want to work together on the same job, which is only 2 hours away. So I freaked for nothing, and he goes along to support me. I love him so much! I wouldn't want to do any event if he wasn't there, and that's the truth. He is the one I want by my side the most. But I do need to become a little less Dependant on him, and I do want him to do a triathlon for a change. There is one next month that's easy, cheap, and good for a first timer, so I hope to have the money to sign him up for it.

I studied the course map last night so I wouldn't get off track again even if there is no one directing people. I will go down the coast from Oceanside, to Carlsbad, to Encinatas and back. Should be easy route to follow, it's just down and back.

I could finish anywhere from 2 hours (pretty fast for me) to 3 hours (pretty slow). I am going to do my best and have fun and enjoy the view! It's not everyday I get to ride by the ocean. I wish it was!

Cody had a pre-op appointment yesterday. His pediatrician is a triathlete. I asked him where he rides and runs and he told me he goes up on the aqueduct. Why didn't I think of that! That would be so nice. He said he does a 13 mile run up there and a nice long bike ride. W O W. The only thing is it's a bit far from us, but worth it I'm sure.

We ran last night. Davey pushed the boys and left me behind (lol). I enjoyed the run on my own listening to peaceful music. At first I was so slow, my calves were burning. Then I got into a better grove. I did one big lap around my neighborhood, and a smaller one with in after that, totaling 2.09 miles! That's the furthest so far! Whoot! I did it in 29 minuets, which is not too bad for me. I am so excited that I can R U N! Me. The overweight asthmatic. Yes I am slow, but I can run with out walking, something I always wanted to be able to do. I am on running cloud 9.

November 3

Wondering why I signed up for a 25 mile ride... doesn't sound too hard, right!? Except I have never gone that far, and have N O T been training. And... it's about 2 1/2 hours away! Gas...time..food..tired... telling you, I am not excited.
Cody is super sick and wakes up all night long coughing for 3 nights in a row. I am T I R E D. I am going to sleep now, and hopefully will ride my bike around my neighborhood when I wake up, then go to church tonight. I am suppose to be tapering but haven't riden enough to taper and I am feeling anxiety about the ride on Saturday.
On a good note, had a fabulous time with my sister, her husband [Army soldier], and my niece and nephew. Many photos of the 4 cousins playing to come. :)
We went to Chili's and only due to fear of a gallbladder attach, looked at the calories and fat contents (salads... 44-79 g of fat!). I got Margarita Grilled Chicken.
D E L C I O U S. 13 g of fat (didn't eat all rice and beans so more like 7-9), fresh salsa and lime on chicken. Yum. I am so happy I was successful at eating out when I soooo scared to.

Half Way

Weigh In 11-1-10: 192.0
Total pounds lost: 52
Total pounds to go: 52
Total percent lost: %21.5
Total percent to go:%21.5
Ultimate goal: 140
Total Inches lost: 27"
Calf: -.5"
Thigh: -5"
Arm: -2"
Stomach: -6"
Waist: -6"
Bust: -4"
Hips:-3.5"
Total dress sizes down: 4
Total dress sizes to go: 3 (goal size 8)

I am exactly half way to my goal! Exciting and also overwhelming. I think, "Man it's taken me this long to reach half way, I don't know if I have the patience to go another 52 pounds!" but I do and I will. I have no choice! I didn't make it this far to give up now. I am confident that it won't take me as long to lose this half, unless I get pregnant :)

I feel like I am more in the grove, it's my lifestyle now. It's not as big of a struggle, and I am not always battling myself to do what I need to do. It's just what I do now. I get up, eat oatmeal or whole wheat waffles for breakfast. I have a sandwich for lunch with low fat cheese, no mayo, lunch meat and veggies, or a can of tuna with a tiny bit of mayo, chopped pickle wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla and baked Lays, with a bowl of warmed up frozen fruit with fat free coolwhip, and I look forward to this. I don't desire the foods that use to have a hold on me.
Saturday night my sister-in-law and her friend came over and brought pizza (which was my idea.. genius I know) and low fat dessert (angel food cake and strawberries). I was so hungry and ate 3 pieces of pizza!! I regretted it right away when I felt full, bloated, uncomfortable, and immediately felt my gallbladder swell. It felt exactly like when you are pregnant and the baby is right under your rib cage pushing on it. I started to feel sick, and in pain. Luckily I had a vicodin and took it and felt much better soon after. I was so fearful. I don't have insurance still, so I want to avoid going to the ER or even an appointment. I can't have surgery to take it out until I have insurance. I really don't want to take it out! I am scared to get surgery! So is this a blessing in disguise? I have to eat very very low-non fat, NO GREASY FOODS, and not over eat. Hmmm... That is what I need to do anyways to lose weight! But I don't want to be on vacation eating out one day and have something with a lot of fat and have an attack and need emergency surgery. So, I am going to pray the Lord heals me, while I do my part to eat right, and hopefully it will get better and won't have any issues with it.
It all makes sense now, all the times I've gotten sick after eating fatty foods, or overeating since losing weight. I've read several times that losing weight can trigger the gallstones, and eating fat there after creates attacks. Weird, but now I CAN'T have fatty greasy foods. Blessing? I think so. But, I don't want to go my whole life with out eating a piece of cake or pizza every blue moon.
Davey is in Morgan Hill right now, on his way up north to take care of some paper work for the union job. I miss him already and have enjoyed him home. I've been depressed with him gone, and a friend from college lost her 4 month old baby last week and I just found out yesterday. I am so sad for her, and realize how precious life is. All I know is it was very sudden and unexpected. I've been checking on the boys all the time when they sleep and being extra careful with them.
Yesterday was a blast. Church, pumpkin carving, trick or treating, church again where we had pumpkin pie. The boys were so cute trick or treating, Shane would go, "Trick or Treat! Unlock it peas!!" while trying to open their door. So funny. And Cody was so round and when he fell he would roll. So hilarious. Thanks to my Mom for making the costumes. My sister and her family are coming tomorrow for a visit!! They are moving from WA to Georgia (military orders). Can't wait to see my nephew and niece and my sister and her husband! I have not seen him in a year since he went to Iraq for his 3rd deployment. I am planning on going to cycle today at 4:00pm, with the boys.. I guess I have to get use to it. I can't go to Coach's class tomorrow because family will be here, and I need to get in some good sessions for before Saturday! I am beginning to wonder why I signed up for this. :/ Here are some funny shoots from yesterday. The boys were pretty scared at this house.. it was a good laugh. We are so mean huh? :]

2 miles? No way!

Yup! I ran 2 W H O L E miles with out stopping last night! I am amazed at what I can do, when I really had no clue I could. I wish I would have known this before the 5K at Tri Carson. I now know, that I can run a whole 5K. Last night I felt great after the 2. I could have done more. I was glad to stop, don't get me wrong. I did the 2 miles in 27 minuets. Faster than Thursday's run. But still very very slow. Thats a 13:30 mile. S L O W. Davey ran 3 miles in 28:30. He's so fast! And he was pushing a stroller. Let's just say he's really sore today. Me, I feel good. I will ice my knees just to be safe though.
We decided to go to the track as a family. It was so much fun. The boys L O V E it. They run with us until they are tired then go in the stroller, and Shane yells "Go Mommy!!" the whole time. :) Then on our cool down lap after we finished running, they run the lap. Shane did 1/2 mile total and Cody did 1/4 mile. Shane says, "Mommy, I run too!". It's so cute.
I just find it amazing that when I am at the gym on the treadmill (let's say last week) I am dying for my 3 mins to be up so I can walk. That's why I didn't think I could run far. But during Tri Carson, I ran the last leg of the run (a little less than a mile) and was surprised I could do it with out dying. So it sparked my curiosity. I am not one to think "It's all in your head" like Davey does. BUT I set my mind up that I was going to run two laps around my neighborhood Thursday night and I did and last night I just determined to do 2 miles, and I did. There is a mental aspect, being confident and knowing you can, really makes your body able. I was under estimating myself on running. I am so glad I stopped enabling myself to do less than what I can! I was really stressed about being behind on C25K, but now I'm ahead.. yay :)
Thursday and Friday I did cycle in the morning and ran at night. Confession: I have N O T been tracking my points :/ but I have not been eating a lot.. I hope.
I don't want to make this a super long post, but there are many things going on in our lives I have not posted about yet. So many burdens, blessings, and growth.
About a month ago now, Davey got laid off. There is just no more work for his company right now, and in the near future. He was one of the last one's to be laid off. I won't bore you all with all our details and goals for career/ministry/finances ect. but I will say, looks like Davey is going to get on with the Union with his Dad and work on a 2 month project, 2 hours away from home. This job would be a huge blessing seeing it's government paid job and Davey has not worked in 4 weeks. It would also be very hard because he will be gone 6 days a week, only home Saturday nights and Sunday days. He worked a job far away for a few months last year and it was so horrible being apart. I dreaded it so much. I miss him, get so depressed, feel unprotected, and lonely. I will have so much work just for myself, i.e: boys, house, puppies, big dogs, yard work, selling the puppies, bills, ect. Of course, I am thinking about how I won't be able to work out as much either. If I want to take the boys to the gym, it cost $6 for 2 hours. If I only go 3 times a week that's $18 a week, and $72 a month. Plus I am just getting certified in a week, and how will I pursue that with him gone? What if I get a chance to sub? I won't have the time or ability to work on my songs and rides to have prepared in case I get a chance.
What about running outside? Do you know how hard it is to run with a double stroller that is not a jogging stroller? Really hard. It's doable though, I know. And how bout riding bikes outside? Nope. I don't have a bike trailer, and even if I do, there really aren't roads here safe enough or bike paths I would pull my boys on. I will say, I have already pleaded my argument for a bike trailer and a jogging stroller though for while he is gone. Enough complaining. I am just going to suck it up and try not be a baby, and do what I need to do.
What's the big deal you might ask? Well, I have a schedule all written out for 4 months, Dec-March to train for an Olympic distant triathlon for next season. I don't have one in mind yet, but was hoping to do a few sprints and maybe an Olympic, then I want a baby. [:)] So in my head I have it all planned out, but why am I getting so upset? I already know, God's plans are different then our own sometimes! I'll just train the best I can while Davey is gone. That's all I can really do. If you have not noticed, I am always a worry wart. I stress about things I can't control. I need the Lord's help in this area.
Anyone have any ideas on how to train with the boys I'd love to hear them! :)

1.67 miles ran!!

Yes it's my second post of the day. I just got back from running 1.67 miles without stopping!!
I looked at my race schedule and realized that only a few weeks after the 5K is the 10K. So I just decided I wanted to run tonight. I got on my running shoes and left to run around my neighborhood. I know a route that is 1.32 miles, and I wanted to do that loop but was too scared to go so far from home since it's dark and well.... I live in Lancaster. I decided to just run two big laps around my neighborhood. I was hoping it would equal a mile.
I looked at my watch to see I had been running 12 minuets at one loop. I was shocked! It only felt like 5 minuets. Then I did the second lap, and finished at my house. I checked to see my time was 25 minuets total running!! That is the LONGEST I have ran since I was little and would run with my Dad. I knew I was going slow, I wanted to pace myself so I could run the whole two laps. I couldn't wait to get on mapmyrun.com and find out how far it was.
I was shocked to see I had ran 1.67 miles with out stopping!! This is huge for me!!! I felt good and could have gone more (but not too much more, lol). This may seem like nothing to some people, but for me, an overweight asthmatic, it's huge! And I only used my inhaler once during the run and no side stitches! I know I got this 5K in less than a month now. Can't wait to run tomorrow! :)

Nothing Really..

I don't have much to report today. It's that time again so I am waiting to weigh until it's over. I did use my new cycle shoes today in Spin and loved them. My inner thighs are already sore. I needed Jessica and a lady in class to show me how to get them clipped in though! I practiced after class and I got it now.
There was a girl in the class that's also going to be doing the certification. When Jessica told us we were both going to be there is was nice to "know" someone, but a little competition too. Man, who am I? I think all these tri's and races are getting to me :0
So I am upset about the race results for Tri Carson... yeah they have me listed as second to last!!! 194 out of 195!! They put me down for 1 hour 17 mins on the bike.. which is so boohaggy!! I watched my watch and it was 60 mins (and only because I got confused on the course) so she is trying to work it out. Good news is I'm up there with my swim time (6 mins). And my run was a PR which they say was 43 min (my time according to start and finish run was 41 something) either way still beat last time. It just stinks cause if I didn't get lost on the course I would have done really well and maybe been in the average 50/50 area. Oh well.. lesson learned. Memorize bike description and don't listen to unknowing volunteers!! :/
Yesterday was my first work out all week. We've all been sick with a cold. I got up at 6:30am and swam 1/2 mile at the gym in 25 mins. Not too bad. Then went to a street I heard on mapmyride.com was a good ride, and rode 7 miles. My goal was to ride 10-15.... my 25 mile race is coming up!! But the road was cold (so cold, with wet hair.. not good) and scary (no bike lanes) with cars zooming past you and I pray they scoot over and are not texting, I headed back after 3.5 miles or so to my car. Oh well..
I found out a cycle group meets at 7am on Saturdays and rides together. I am debating showing up. I don't know them, or their levels, and don't want to slow them down.
Other news, I have been really watching my fats due to the gallbladder issues.. good I guess. Cause even when I crave something fatty I won't eat it! Well that's all for now....